Tortellini Salad Italian Dressing (Print View)
Tender tortellini with crisp vegetables in zesty Italian dressing
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz fresh cheese tortellini
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
→ Cheese & Herbs
07 - 1/3 cup fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
08 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, torn
→ Dressing
10 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Boil tortellini according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking process. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
02 - Combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, fresh mozzarella balls, and torn basil leaves in a separate large mixing bowl.
03 - Add cooled tortellini to the vegetable mixture. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
04 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
05 - Pour dressing over tortellini and vegetables. Fold ingredients together carefully to coat everything without breaking pasta or cheese balls.
06 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Lightly toss once more to incorporate. Serve immediately or chill for up to 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to develop.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The dressing soaks into the pasta overnight, making it taste even better the next day
- It travels beautifully and never gets soggy like other pasta salads
02 -
- I once skipped rinsing the pasta under cold water and ended up with melted mozzarella and wilted basil, not a good look
- The dressing might seem thick, but trust me, the pasta will drink it up as it sits
03 -
- Buy the tortellini from the refrigerated section, the dried stuff never gets tender enough for a cold salad
- Double the dressing if you are making it ahead, pasta soaks up liquid like a sponge